[en] Introduction: Peri-tonsillar abscess remains one of the most frequent serous complications of oropharyngeal or dental infections. It can evolve to parapharyngeal and/or retropharyngeal spaces. It can be life-threatning and, more rarely, neurological complications are described.
Observations: We report the case of a 56 year old woman who developed within few days a progressive tetraparesia due to cervical medullary compression. This compression was consecutive to an epidurite which was a complication of a retropharyngeal abscess. The only surgical act was a cervicotomy to drain the abscess and identify the pathological germ. A targeted antibiotherapy was quickly begun. The recovery was obtained rather quickly and the neurological evolution was good. After one year, the cervical spine presents a post-infectious deformation without sign of root or spinal-cord compression.
Conclusion: A cervical tetraparesia induced by spondylodiscitis and epiduritis following a retropharyngeal abscess with Staphylococcus aureus is a rare complication. Adequate diagnosis, as fast as possible, is mandatory in order to carry out an adapted antibiotherapy in the hopes of a complete recovery. The place of surgery on the spine remains to be specified.